Damn, I was going to wait before I boasted (kvetched??) but if you're not here I can't do that. So - the contract won't arrive till I do the rewrite but I have a conditional acceptance for my second Victorian history mystery. (Fingers crossed!)Have fun and bring us back a stick of rock, Nancy. (Stick of rock - in case they don't have them in the US - is a seaside delicacy, a foot long cylinder (1"dia) of solid sugar, usually peppermint flavoured and lethal to the teeth.)

Me, I'm just starting the polish on the end book of the WebMage series now that I've got my reader comments coming in. Then, next week, it's time to freak out about the next series. Or maybe write a dozen book proposals up or something.

Going with the flow. I put up a good front, but don't do change all that well. Waves wistfully at Nancy packing. Well deserved honor Blog Queen.

I don't have a blog, or I'd volunteer to sub for N.Hug for KB.

YEAH Nicky!!!!We call that rock candy and it's usually in chunks over here and I don't remember any flavors.

Maria--enjoy time with Nancy.

Andi--I'm going to need a Yiddish dictionary. Between you and Nicky my vocabulary abounds. Great pics.

Beth--enjoy that time and safe travels home.

Kelly--good luck with the next stage.

Waves to FM and Farf and others to come.

Thunderboomers here this morning and almost three inches of rain. So hope all are well and safe.

I'm planning a June trip through Kansas and up to Wisconsin then down through Indiana and back to Texas. Not sure who is on that route but am looking for couches to sleep on or a place to throw a bed roll.

Thanks guys (kvelling, I'll remember that, it's smooth whereas Kvetch is harsh and angry!). Lisa, seaside rock is like candy canes but the most important thing is that the name of the town is written inside the stick of rock ie letters that go all the way down. If it doesn't have writing in it, it's not the genuine article thus Nancy should bring us all a stick of rock with Malice Domestic written all the way down the inside!(Cultural differences, eh?)

If there's time, I'd be willing to drive to Indiana to meet up with you, Lisa. It's only the next state over. Maybe, we could visit that store that sells Andif cards. (wiggles eyebrows)

Great pix, Andif. Everything is just popping here, too. Trees with little leaves or in full flower blossom (fruit trees not dogwoods - ours aren't as open as yours in the pic), tulips are blooming, and allergies going nuts. lol All part of the awakening. I saw this quote over the weekend and thought of you and your pix:And this our life, exempt from public haunt, / Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, / Sermons in stones, and good in everything. -William Shakespeare

I feel like it's summer already with the temps in the 80's for the past few days. This required a stop at DQ for a banana split blizzard on the way home from work. :-)

Lisa, you've got kvetch and kvell. You just need to round it out with verklempt -- which is how we feel about Nancy's having to shut down the blog -- and you've got the basic emotions covered. Find out what when to call someone a klutz, schlemiel, nudje, nebbish, or goniff and learn when you've (or someone else) has schlepped, plotzed, or been meshugeneh and you'll be well on you way. Oh yeah ... and you have to say oy gevalt convincingly. :)

Also Lisa, when are you thinking of coming to Indiana?

I like that quote, bono.

Beth, hope you are having a great time. Crescent City isn't exactly a thing of beauty but there sure are some lovely redwood forest nearby.

I'm in Pittsburgh and there's nothing lovely where I am. I miss my trees and dogs (oh yeah and husband).

Pittsburgh, andi? Let's see - there's the Phipps Conservatory down by the University, for pretty flowers and plants. And the nighttime view of the city as you come out of the tunnel from the airport is stunning. I was there for 5 months, but it was winter, so everything was kind of dead and dull. I know there are nice parks, etc. But compared to your woods...

Morning all! Last day in OR. On hold with United - they seem to have lost my reservation. (Shakes head.) See why I drive?? Once I get this resolved, will wander around this rain-drenched city. Hope your Tuesdays go well - I'll check in from Florida tomorrow - if I make it!!

bono, I've never mentioned this before but on Fridays, olivia and I post a photo diary over Booman Tribune. You can stop by there and take a look what we've got on offer plus all the great stuff that other people post. Here's last week's to wet your appetite. [LINK]

Beth, I'm glad everything got straightened out. Safe journey.

Off to get ready for another day stuck in a conference room (all I'm seeing of Pittsburgh, Beth, is what I call the Beige Conference Room of Death or BCROD).

Andi--Dog, Tree, and Husband withdrawal--Oh My. Hope you get back to them soon. Sometimes we need to get away to appreciate the mundane. Each day I am swallowed by a building with no windows. I now have to leave the building during my conference period and come home to dogs and trees myself. Cyber Hug to Lady in the Big City. Thanks for links to another Pic Fix.

Beth--Here's hoping you're in FL with plenty of zzzzz. It would take me some time to decompress after all that mess.

The rain forecast moved out to later in the week, so it's Bike Morning again…

Andi, hope you get out of the conference room alive. By pure coincidence, next week's FAR Future features what used to be a conference room, with sentiments similar to those you have for the BCROD. ;-)

Mumble, the commute won't happen until I put down the computer. We need high-speed rail from FAR Manor to the office, doggoneit!

Nancy, I have to tell you that I came here because I love your books. I stayed because of the warm community you built. I will miss that. However, if it means I will have more of your books to read in the future, I am thrilled to death.

Thanks for the link, Andif. I love your pix and look forward to continuing to see them. There are some other good photogs over there, too.

There's a post up. I don't think I'll try for a new post everyday and I'm probably just going to put up pictures and minimal-to-no text but I'll try to do several a week and -- like the other people here who blog have done -- I'm inviting you to drop by and make it a place to visit and chat, if you want.

Bye everybody and love and thanks and hugs and all best stuff. I'm off to the convention tomorrow. Have fun at Andi's place and all of your places. I'll see you 'round the village now and then over the next few weeks.

So, I went to Sally's Porch web site but there's not a place to leave a comment. Please tell her that I enjoyed the newest book even more than I did the first one. Also, a question: Now that she's writing full-time, how long until the next episode arrives? :-) Thanks.